The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-20

Power of the City Council tn Fix Rates.
70 the Editor of the Indianapolis Jon rnaI
Noting the discussion of this question by one
Of your contributors yesterday, desire to call
attention to some facts he seems to quite over
look. He insists that the City Council has
power to fix rates on natural gas. and that the
principle involved in the exercise of that power
is unconstitutional. Perhaps no more trivial
argument ON that line could be named than that
suggested as conclusive of want of this power.
viz: that because many persons would not be sup
piled at therefore is special and class egis-
latlon, and for that reason void. 1t need only DO
stated, in reply to this. that there are many
privileges guaranteed to citizens uncer State
laws but because they do not avail themselves
of them, no one has yet had the temerity TO sug.
gest that such laws are void
Your correspondent cites the act OF the last
Legislature, and concludes that it does not give
the City Council power to fix rates on natural gas
Among other things that provides is that
city councils shall have power to make reas.
enable regulation" for the Consumption OF
natural-gas." 1t pretty hard to see what
reasonable regulation" means. standing in this
relation to ''consum ption.' if it does not relate
to restriction on price. 1t is certainly not to be
supposed that the city will have officers to enter
the residences of the people to turn on or OF tho
gas. to say how high or how low they shall
keep the temperature of their houses. But so
far the principle is involved. we are not left
to this phraseoloey OF the act OF 1887
city councils by the general
laws OF the State are those to prescribe tho
rates of ferriage" over streams; Ito fix the rates
and prices for transportation OF persons and
property from part of the city to another"
and other similar powers. With reference 10
the exercise of these powers by other cities.
courts have uniformly hold it good. No member
of our City Council can take refuge in his pur-
pose to repeal the restrictions on natural-gas. az
to rates to consumers behind so himsy pre-
text as alleged want of power.
Your correspondents seems to insist on the
license tax fee for tho street mains. That
would DO small matter with any company
operating under ordinance fixing no limit or
rates charged consumers for whether 1t be
made three cents three dollars per foot. the
charged consumers. And SO companies demand
ing repeal of that part of the ordinance liking
limit on rates, can afford to be very generous
in regard to the tax Zee on stree stree. ma ms.
panies piping gas twenty to thirty miles into
Pittsburg. over mountains. blasting stone from
good profits selling at cents per Thousand feet.
2 cents below our present ordinance. What the
exact dividends have been on the actual invest
ments by at least three or four OF these COM
panies l will know In q few days If they are
profitable, it ought to settle the matter for our
city Within few miles of is vast reser-
perience. easwells have nos failed or
diminished in eight years use. Indianapolis
is the only market there is for this great Indi
ana field, aside from the towns using it. If thi.
city Is to have prosperity and growth out of n
natural resource. lying at her door, then we
not afford to allow all lis value diverted to u
pockets of few individuals. Capital will Il
found that will be willing to accept the profit
of other industrial investments. and allow The
great resources Of fuel at our doors to accrue :"
the advantages OF manufacturing and cheap f.
for the homes for our operatives. Let the G"
panies content only with 80 and 100 per cont -"
their investments find victims elsewhere. Inc
City Council in denying the Standard Oii Com
pany that which is asked now, can be oonsstent
only by strict adherence TO rates
JOHN B. CoNNER
4 INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 10 1887.